CAROLINE A MASON: THE WIND THAT BLOWS; THAT WIND IS BEST

2013-24: Caroline A Mason: The Wind that blows; that wind is best.

[ Caroline Atherton Mason (1823-1890) graduated from Bradford Academy in 1844. Her early poetry, much of it published under the name "Caro," appeared in such local newspapers as the Salem Register. Notable among them was "Do They Miss Me at Home?" (1844), later set to music and sung to Civil War audiences. Her first collection of poetry, Utterances, or Private Voices to the Public Heart, appeared in 1852. Throughout her life, CAM wrote short stories, essays, hymns, poetry and frequent letters to the local newspapers, often signing these only "C.A.M." She was a regular contributor to periodicals as well as to newspapers.  Read her "Buttercups" here and follow it up with "The Voyage" ].

 BUTTERCUPS

Buttercups among the grass, 

Smiling on us as we pass, 

Lifting up such happy faces, —
        Starry-bright and bathed in dew,

        Ah, if we could be like you, 

Each contented in our places!

"Whether skies be bright or sad, 

Little matters: you are glad, 

Darlings, in all sorts of weather 

Just as happy here as there" 

THE VOYAGE

Whichever way the wind doth blow, Some heart is glad to have it so; Then blow it east or blow it west, The wind that blows, that wind is best. My little craft sails not alone: A thousand fleets from every zone Are out upon a thousand seas; And what for me were favoring breeze Might dash another, with the shock Of doom, upon some hidden rock. And so I do not dare to pray For winds to waft me on my way, But leave it to a Higher Will To stay or speed me; trusting still That all is well, and sure that He Who launched my bark will sail with me Through storm and calm, and will not fail, Whatever breezes may prevail, To land me, every peril past, Within his sheltering heaven at last. Then, whatsoever wind doth blow, My heart is glad to have it so; And blow it east or blow it west, The wind that blows, that wind is best.

                                                                                 
                                                                                       by Caroline A Mason